Amazon to Sponsor the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Closing Ceremony

Amazon lends support for largest sporting event to hit Seattle in
more than 25 years

November 16, 2017 10:00 AM Eastern Time

SEATTLE--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Organizing Committee announced today
that Amazon will be presenting sponsor of the 2018 USA Games Closing
Ceremony (www.specialolympicsusagames.org)
in the company’s hometown of Seattle. In July 2018, more than 4,000
Special Olympics athletes, coaches and representatives from across the
U.S., along with tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will
gather in Seattle for six days of national-caliber competition in 14
individual and team sports.

“Special Olympics embraces
diversity and inclusion – values that Amazon shares. It’s an honor to
support the USA Games, athletes, coaches and families who have traveled
from all over the country to compete in Seattle.”

The 2018 USA Games kick off with the Opening Ceremony at Husky Stadium
on Sunday, July 1, and culminate on Friday, July 6, with the Closing
Ceremony presented by Amazon. The Closing Ceremony will be held at the
iconic Lake Union Park in Seattle and will be free and open to the
public.

“We are excited to partner with the Special Olympics USA Games and
welcome more than 4,000 athletes and coaches to South Lake Union,” said
Jeff Wilke, CEO Amazon Worldwide Consumer. “Special Olympics embraces
diversity and inclusion – values that Amazon shares. It’s an honor to
support the USA Games, athletes, coaches and families who have traveled
from all over the country to compete in Seattle.”

“Producing an event of this magnitude requires grassroots support as
well as corporate partners like Amazon who are passionate about
supporting the community and message of inclusion,” said Beth Knox,
president and CEO of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. “From unique
experiences benefiting the athletes and sponsoring the Closing Ceremony,
to engaging their employees as volunteers, we appreciate Amazon’s
wide-spectrum commitment to the Special Olympics movement.”

The Closing Ceremony will include ceremonial elements such as lowering
the Special Olympics flag, extinguishing the Special Olympics flame and
announcing the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games host city. The ceremony
will also feature musical performances and a festival-like atmosphere to
celebrate the athletes’ achievements and give Seattleites a chance to
bid farewell to the athletes before they return to their home states.
The Closing Ceremony is designed to inspire attendees to continue
demonstrating acts of inclusion throughout their communities long after
the 2018 USA Games have concluded.

Knox added, “The Closing Ceremony celebrates the end of the 2018 USA
Games, but more importantly, it signals the beginning of a new era of
inclusiveness in Seattle and beyond.”

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About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle, Washington
from July 1-6, 2018. More than 4,000 participants representing all 50
states and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of
thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type
team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will
celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary;
promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and
showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people
with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight
Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and
community-building.